Page 59 of Sweet Like a Psycho (Secrets of Suburbi 2)

He rested his elbows on the kitchen island and leaned a little closer to me. “I’m sorry, Violet. I’ve been one of those people.”

“I don’t blame you. Sometimes it’s easier to be part of the masses.”

“Ouch.” He put his hand over his heart. “I guess I deserved that one.”

He did. But pointing it out wasn’t a very nice thing to do as a host. “I didn’t mean anything by it. I really appreciate you fixing my truck. Really, you’re a lifesaver.”

“It’s more of a patch. You’ll probably need a new car within a year at the most.”

I couldn’t get rid of my truck. That wasn’t an option. “Are you sur

e?”

“I’m sure you could spend a bunch of money on Band-Aids, but it would be a better investment to get a new one. Which I realize sounds insane because a car is a really shitty investment. But it’s better than pouring money down the drain.”

I shook my head. I’d pour any amount of money down the drain to keep it. A rundown truck in the driveway would be suspicious. But as my main method of transportation it just fit in with everyone's opinion of me being a crazy woman in the woods.

“If you need someone to come to the dealer with you, I’m pretty good at negotiating.” He gave me a charming smile.

It was the second time today that it felt like he was hitting on me. The way he looked at me made my whole body feel cold. “No, I think I’m good with my truck. Thanks for offering though.”

He shrugged. “Well, if you ever need me to take another look I can. Speaking of which, I think you had an ice pack with my name on it.” He rubbed the back of his head.

God, I was such an ass. He wasn’t hitting on me, he was probably just concussed. “I’m really sorry about that. I shouldn’t have surprised you while you were under the hood.” I grabbed the ice pack from the freezer and held it out to him.

“Do you see a bump or anything?” he asked instead of taking it.

I walked up behind him and ran my fingers through his hair at the base of his skull. “It does look a little purple.” I pressed the ice against his skin.

“Ah, that feels so much better.” He lifted his hand and put it on top of mine.

“You’re not dizzy or anything are you?” I probably shouldn’t have let him drive around this afternoon without asking him that first.

“No, I don’t think so.”

“Nauseous or anything?”

“No.” He smiled. “Just hungry.”

I sighed. “Okay, good.”

“Is dinner almost ready, Mommy?” Zeke asked as he ran into the kitchen.

“In a few minutes. Want to help set the table?”

He didn’t reply, he just pulled one of the stools over to the counter so that he could climb up and reach the plates.

Tucker joined us in the room and the air suddenly felt stifling. He was staring at my hand underneath of Damien’s with a look full of protectiveness. I loved that look. I immediately removed my hand. “I was making sure he wasn’t concussed,” I said.

Tucker shoved his hands into his jeans’ pockets. “Concussed. Really?” He was staring at Damien.

“What?” Damien shrugged. “I could have been. At least someone cares enough to ask.” He kept the ice pack on the back of his head.

“Are you convinced we found Lizardopolous now?” I asked and flicked one of Zeke’s dreadlocks out of his face as he set the table.

“No, I’m convinced that Tucker isn’t as good of a detective as he thinks he is.”

I laughed. “You’re right about that.” As soon as the words fell out of my mouth, I regretted them. Everyone was quiet for a second. I had been referring to the fact that Tucker had been the one to insist that the new lizard looked like Lizardopolous, but I couldn’t exactly explain that in front of Zeke. What I said made it seem like I was guilty, and Tucker wasn’t smart enough to catch me. The silence was killing me.

---